Okay, my fiance and I have made some decisions. We are going to Italy for our honeymoon in September/October of 2008 for 3 weeks. We want to go to Venice, Rome, and Pompeii. We would also either like to start the trip with 3 days on a beach, or have 3 days in the middle on a beach, just to relax. Does anyone have any ideas for cities? We were thinking about 7 or 8 days in Rome, 1 day in Pompeii, and 6 or 7 days in Venice. We don't want to waste too much time travelling a lot. Any help? What's easiest to get to from each city?

Sperlonga, south of Rome. On the way to Pompeii.

Another vote for Sperlonga. We stayed here a few years ago and loved it http://www.aurorahotel.it/ - our room overlooked the beach and included the use of sunbeds on it's own stretch of beach.

That looks lovely, Maria ! Is the food good ? What is the town like ? Are there bars & restaurants within a short walk ?

Hi

Well, if you want some info on Rome I can recommend my trip report with pictures, links, maps etc on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . My wife and I also went to Venice a couple of years back and here is a trip report from that trip: http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm . Hope this helps...get in touch if you have any questions or comments

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Hi Caroline, I'm not sure there was a restaurant at the hotel - at least it wasn't open when we were there. We stayed a couple of nights on a fly/drive from Rome. The hotel is right on the lovely sandy beach and a short walk from the headland where the old town is. The old town reminded me of somewhere in Greece, narrow alleyways and steps up the side of the headland, with little squares and restaurants, bars and gift shops.

Thanks Maria - it sounds lovely.

OP, it's not what you asked about but I have a suggestion based on how tired I was at the start of my honeymoon (we basically slept for the first 3 days !), plus how tiring it is pounding the streets of Rome and Venice (much as I love them). I'd have 3 days at a beach, just relaxing, at the start and in the middle too. In fact if it were me, I'd have a relaxing section at the end too, so as not to go home tired. Given that you seem to have c.15-16 days, what I'd do would be something like beach - 3, Venice - 3, beach - 3, Rome - 3, Pompei - 1, beach - 3. By each of these numbers I mean nights, so 3 nights equates to 2 full days.

If you want to cut down on transfers, you could consider staying at the Venice Lido, so you can alternate between beach time & sightseeing in Venice proper.

Have you sorted your flights out yet ? Could you fly into Venice and home from Naples, perhaps ? If so you could go on from Pompei (train from Naples) to Capri or Ischia (direct hydrofoils from Naples) for a final bit or r&r. You could leave Rome early by train, visit Pompeii during the daytime and go on to Ischia, all in the same day.

The May 2007 issue of Gourmet magazine has a feature on this town, focusing on their buffalo milk mozarella. They recommend:

www.hotelgrottaditiberio.it

along with several restaurants and mozzarella producers.

Caroline is giving you great advice if you are leaving for your honeymoon right after the wedding. You won't believe how tired such a happy event can make you. Then, add possible jetlag on top of the fatigue and you will be happy to just loll around for a few days.

I don't have advice on beach towns, but I would suggest deciding where you will fly into, then looking at which beach towns are close and easy to get to from the airport, so that you don't land and immediately have lots more travel to do.

Also consider lakeside towns as a waterfront alternative.

Congrats and have a lovely trip!